What McDonald's Charges Consumers for McRib Amid Lawsuit — A Look at the Sandwich's Messy History | Complete information

McDonald’s McRib sandwich is facing fresh scrutiny over its ingredients, price and distinctive rib-shaped appearance, with a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing the fast-food giant of misleading customers into thinking they were paying for a premium pork rib product. The legal challenge gained momentum after a US federal judge refused to dismiss key claims in the case, allowing the dispute to continue.

The lawsuit put the price of the limited-time sandwich in the spotlight. According to the complaint, the McRib reportedly cost as much as $7.89 before tax at some U.S. stores, making it one of the most expensive single-item options on McDonald’s menu when available. Prosecutors said its premium pricing and limited availability reinforced the perception that it contained real pork rib meat.

A separate price comparison by Mashed found that one McDonald’s outlet this year sold a sandwich for $5.99, while a meal with fries and a drink cost $9.89. However, prices vary by restaurant and location. In 2010, the sandwich reportedly cost $2.69 by itself and $5.59 as a meal.

Why is McDonald’s facing a McRib lawsuit?

Four consumers from California, New York, Illinois, and Washington DC filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in December 2025, alleging that McDonald’s used the sandwich’s name, advertising, and rib-shaped patty to create the impression that it contained pork rib meat.

The complaint alleges that the patty is made from restructured pork using lower quality cuts, including shoulder, heart, tripe and gizzard, rather than actual rib meat. The plaintiffs argued that customers would not buy the sandwich or pay less for it if they knew what was in it.

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The lawsuit called the use of the word “rib” in the name and shape of the patty misleading. However, McDonald’s has denied the allegations, saying the sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the US.

In a statement, according to the AP, the company said the lawsuit “misrepresents the facts and many of the claims are inaccurate.” It also claimed: “We have always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can choose the right one.”

What did the US court say?

On October 30, U.S. District Judge April Perry in Chicago denied McDonald’s request to dismiss the proposed class action in its entirety, although some claims were dismissed.

According to Reuters, the judge said it was premature to accept the company’s argument that reasonable consumers would not expect the McRib to contain rib meat. She also noted that customers should not be expected to research the ingredients of a fast food sandwich before purchasing it.

“Plaintiffs’ proffered understanding of ‘McRib’ is not unreasonable or fanciful,” Perry wrote.

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The decision does not show that McDonald’s misled customers or that the sandwich contained the ingredients listed in the complaint. The case will continue and the plaintiffs will demand liability for marketing the product.

The Messy History of the McDonald’s McRib

The McRib has had an unusual journey since its debut in 1981. According to Business Insider, the sandwich was developed by McDonald’s chef René Arend as an alternative during a chicken shortage that left some restaurants struggling with requests for Chicken McNuggets.

Made with deboned, restructured pork and shaped to resemble a rib, the sandwich was served with barbecue sauce, onions and pickles. Despite its launch, repeat sales were initially weak and McDonald’s removed it from its menu in 1985.

Its subsequent returns helped turn it into one of the chain’s best-known limited-time offerings. The sandwich has developed a devoted following, with fans tracking its availability and campaigning for its return. In 2007, 30 million units were said to have been sold, proving the commercial appeal of bringing them back on a regular basis.

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McDonald’s has also repeatedly promoted sandwich departures as farewell events. The chain held a McRib “Farewell Tour” in 2005, followed by another in 2006. In 2020, it returned nationally for the first time since 2012, before the company announced another farewell tour in 2022.

This announcement did not mean the end of the sandwich. The McRib returned again in 2023, 2024 and 2025, with its repeated availability helping to maintain interest among fans. In October 2026, McDonald’s brought it back starting October 27 for a limited time in select US locations, including cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Dallas.

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has previously described it as “the GOAT of sandwiches on our menu”, using the popular shorthand for “greatest ever”. According to CBS News, during the 2022 farewell announcement, the company also left the door open for another return, saying, “Like any true farewell tour, we hope this isn’t a ‘goodbye’ but a ‘see you later.'”